Overview: Start-up Halcyon Molecular is developing a method to sequence nucleic acids using high-atomic-number-labeled bases and electron microscopy. This approach to detection was first proposed by Richard Feynman around 1958. Halycon Molecular is also developing a number of supporting techniques, including use of functionalized needles to stretch and place taut DNA onto substrates for subsequent analysis. The company has around 15 employees and is located in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Overview:Ion Torrent’s US 2010/0035252 patent application was published in February 2010. The patent is designed to cover an innovative approach to measurement of base or multiple-base-segment incorporation during sequencing-by-synthesis. The early-stage technology is based on measuring DNA or RNA length in a microfluidic flow cell. Ion Torrent’s proposed technology differs markedly from its core sequencing platform of semiconductor-based ion detection associated with sequencing-by-synthesis – though the technology in the recent filing also obviates or reduces the need for fluorescent labels.